7th April 2016 - Important Current Affairs updates

The World Health Day, a global health awareness day, is being observed today (7th April 2016).

This day is being observed under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO).

This day is held to mark WHO's founding, and is seen as an
opportunity by the organization to draw worldwide attention to a subject
of major importance to global health each year.

Themes of World health day

2016 : Beat Diabetes

2015: Food safety

2014: Vector-borne diseases: small bite, big threat

2013: Healthy heart beat, Healthy blood pressure

2012: Good health adds life to years

2011: Anti-microbial resistance: no action today, no cure tomorrow.

(this theme is to raise awareness about the disease which has affected 422 million worldwide).

San Francisco has adopted a legislation mandating that employers offer new fathers full wages during their six-week paternity leave, making it the first such city in the United States.

The law will be implemented in phases in businesses with over 20 employees.

Note : Some states already have laws under which employees are entitled to partial compensation during paternity leave.

National Affairs

Assam Rifles has inducted the first batch of 100 women personnel into the force.

These women were recruited from rallies across the country.

Note : The new recruits will be posted in various battalions of the force for female mob/crowd control, search, frisking and interrogation of women when required, and tackling agitations involving women agitators.

Odisha Government has launched Adarsh Vidyalaya (AV) project to provide modern schools facilities on the lines of Kendriya Vidyalayas in the underdeveloped rural areas of the state.

Note : It was launched by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Sasan Ambagaon village in his home constituency Hinjli in Ganjam district.

The annual fee in all IITs for SC, ST, disabled students and students belonging to families with annual income below ₹1 lakh will be waived completely.

Students belonging to families with annual income between ₹1-5 lakh will get a two-thirds waiver.

This comes after HRD Minister Smriti Irani promised fee waivers for the students at all IITs.

The Election Commission (EC) has lifted the ban on Kerala's free rice supply scheme ahead of the Assembly elections in the state.

The scheme, announced in the state's 2016-17 budget, will supply 25 kg of rice to below poverty line (BPL) families.

Note : However, the EC said Ministers and MLAs cannot get involved in the rice distribution.